Challenging Vuelta a España 2011

The route of the Vuelta a España has recently been released. A nice surprise is that the Spanish Tour will visit the Basque Country for the first time in thirty years! Several stages in the North-East and alongside the Atlantic Ocean are scheduled, the climb to the feared Anglirú also included in the Tour.

Remaining UCI Pro-Conti teams also known

The UCI has just released the remaining licenses for 2011 in the Professional-Continental class. Besides the 16 teams already reported earlier this week by CyclingFever, 7 other teams have now been added to the final list. There are 23 Pro-Conti teams registered for 2011 in total, as opposed to 21 teams in 2010.

Breaking News: 5 new UCI Pro-Continental teams!

2011 will witness the birth of no less than 5 new Professional - Continental teams in the UCI second division, as CyclingFever.com discovered. Besides the already known promotion of American squad United Healthcare to the Pro-Conti class, four other teams are now also sure.

Davis Down Under for Astana

Slowly but surely, more and more information is released about the participants in the Santos Tour Down Under, which starts on the 18th of January in- and around Adelaide. While not officially confirmed by the organisation's press service, Allan Davis made it clear that he will start his 2011 campaign in Adelaide.

QuickStep on the road with 'newbees'

The Belgian based QuickStep team will be traveling to Australia in January to ride the Santos Tour Down Under. According to the race's press service, Francesco Chicchi will have to lead the (sprint)team for the 'Flemish'.

Peter Sagan postpones season start - or not?

2010's biggest cycling revelation Peter Sagan is forced to abandon his planned season start in the Tour Down Under. The French website Vélochrono.fr recently proclaimed Sagan as the most impressive Neo-Pro of 2010, even when his second season-half was severely disrupted by stomach problems causing him to abandon the Tour of Poland, amongst others.

Surprising career change by Elijzen

Michiel Elijzen will be a new Directeur Sportif for Omega Pharma-Lotto in 2011, a career move that comes as a complete surprise. Elijzen, who is only 28 years-of-age, quits his active cycling career after having ridden for the Belgian team for the last two years.

Team QuickStep assured of future

Patrick Lefevere reeled in an important financial deal for the next few years. A Czech businessman and billionaire, Zdenek Bakala, and Dutch businessman Bessel Kok (former CEO Belgacom) have bought a majority share in Lefevere's company and the QuickStep cycling team. QuickStep will however remain as jersey-sponsor during the 2011 season.

Cipollini advisor for Team Katusha

Mario Cipollini will be affiliated with Team Katusha as an advisor next year. The former World Champion and top-sprinter of old will share his knowledge with the young and upcoming sprinters in Katusha's Global Project with the aim of positively influencing their results. An agreement for one year has been made.

UCI announces the 18 ProTeams

The UCI today revealed the full list of UCI ProTeams for 2011, despite earlier indications of the list being released on December 10. It is now clear that Geox-TMC will still be the odd one out. Besides Geox, Cofidis must also be disappointed to not have received a ProTeam status, which now goes to AG2R despite a lower UCI-ranking.

The week in short

Last weeks newsflashes in a row.
- Tour Down Under to be sprintgalore in January. Organisation assured of spectacle now Greipel, Farrar and Cavendish will all be present.
- Matti Breschel's spring in danger. An old injury to Breschel's knee is playing up again. The new Rabo-Dane has decided to undergo an operation as soon as possible and is expected to be out for three months.

No ProTour for Geox-TMC + Update

It looks like Team Geox-TMC will have to make do with a Pro-Continental licence next year. According to Tuttobiciweb, team manager Maurizio D'Angelo has received a phone call by Pat McQuaid, informing the team about the UCI's decision. Details on the motivation by the UCI are not yet known.

'Manx Missile' heading Down Under

The Tour Down Under (18 - 23 January 2011) is already promising heaps of spectacle for sprint lovers. Never before have so many 'Captains of Sprint' assembled this early in the season, after it was revealed that Manxman Mark Cavendish will also attend the race for HTC-Highroad.

Raisin Hope's 4th annual charity auction

Former Pro-cyclist Saul Raisin is organising a charity fundraiser for victims of brain injuries. All the proceeds of the event will go towards brain-research, the main goal for the Raisin Hope Foundation.
"I am proud to announce the 4th Annual Raisin Hope Auction. This year we have some one of a kind cycling memorabilia including Thor Hushovd's signed green jersey from the Tour de France 2009" Saul says on his website. On the other hand, a signed Eddy Merckx poster is a pretty nifty got-to-get-that-item as well, as he was only the best cyclist ever! The E-bay auction will be between 21st and 28th of november, so make sure you get your bid in!

It's heating up Down Under

Last night it became clear that double Tour Down Under Champ André Greipel, now riding for Omega Pharma - Lotto, will be taking part in the 2011 edition of the race. Tyler Farrar's participation for Garmin - Cervélo has been announced earlier this week, which guarantees sparks flying and 'hot mass bunch sprints' between two of the most talented sprinters of this decade. Not bad for a race in January!